Course Descriptions - Philosophy

PHL1100 Problems of Philosophy 4 semester hoursThis course is an introduction to the nature of philosophy through reading and discussion of various philosophical problems and comparisons of different philosophical viewpoints. The topics discussed will include the nature of reality, the existence of God, the nature of human existence, the nature of knowledge, the criteria for making value judgments, and the terminology of philosophical inquiry.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL1200 Logic 4 semester hoursThis course is a study of the nature of arguments and the criteria for evaluating and constructing arguments. Topics in the course will include formal logic, informal fallacies, rules for definitions, constructing and presenting arguments, and the relation between logic and the scientific method.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL2100 Ethics 4 semester hoursThis course is a study of a variety of answers that have been given to the questions of what constitutes the good life and what standard should be used to evaluate actions. The course will include the study of significant ethical theorists from Plato to the present and examination and discussion of various contemporary ethical issues.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL2200 Introduction to Political Philosophy 4 semester hoursThis course examines the history of political philosophy in the Western world the study of how to evaluate and organize human societies. It will offer an overview of the major thinkers and ideas in this field, beginning with the ancient Greeks and ending with some major 20th century figures. Topics discussed will include the relationship between human nature and politics, competing conceptions of the ideal society, the relationship between government and religion, reason and emotion, selfishness and altruism, civil disobedience, and revolution.

PHL/HIS2250 Ancient Philosophy: History of Philosophy I 4 semester hoursThis course will focus on Greek and Roman philosophy from the pre-Socratics up to the Hellenistic era. Special attention will be placed on the seminal work of Plato and Aristotle.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL/ART2700 Art and Philosophy 4 semester hoursCross-listed with ART2700. For description, see ART2700.

PHL/REL3100 Philosophy of Religion 4 semester hoursThis course is a study of the philosophical issues in religion: the nature of religion, the relation between philosophy and religion, the possibility of demonstrating the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the nature of religious knowledge and language.Prerequisite: An introductory philosophy or religion course.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL3150 Professional Ethics 4 semester hoursThis course explores the moral standards, responsibilities, and duties of professionals, such as physicians, nurses, lawyers, social workers, teachers, administrators, public officers, accountants, and managers. We will examine the criteria for a profession as well as obligations of professionals toward their clients and toward third parties. We will explore some common philosophical theories of moral obligation, rights and justice and how they apply to cases.Prerequisites: Demonstrated research and writing skills; not recommended for first- and second-year students.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL3200 Business Ethics 4 semester hoursThis course is a study of the ethical principles that apply to business practices and goals. In addition to an examination of the moral theory and values behind a free market, this course examines a variety of issues such as employer/employee rights and responsibilities, privacy in the workplace, whistle blowing, corporate responsibilities, and advertising practices, all of which are examined in the light of alter native approaches to making moral judgments.Prerequisite: An introductory course in philosophy.

PHL3300 Modern Philosophy: History of Philosophy II 4 semester hoursThis course will focus on the foundation of Modern philosophy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Emphasis will be placed on 1.) the Rationalist tradition, starting with Descartes and continuing in Spinoza and Leibniz; and 2.) Empiricism, focusing on Locke and Hume.Prerequisite: A prior course in philosophy or PHL2250 is recommended.

PHL3350 History of Philosophy III 4 semester hoursThis course will focus on Kant’s thinking and the influence of it on such schools as German Idealism, Phenomenology and Existentialism.Prerequisite: PHL2250 or PHL3300 is strongly recommended.

PHL3400 The Good Life? 4 semester hoursThis course is a study of how a variety of philosophical authors have defined both the good life and happiness and how they may be achieved. Topics in the course range from Socrates’ question as to what life is worth living to the belief that the pursuit of happiness is an inalienable right.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL3500 Philosophy of Love and Sex 4 semester hoursThis course is a study of the various philosophical issues that surround the topics of love and sex. The topic will include the philosophical, theological and contemporary influences that have shaped the public debates about love and sex; the ethical issues associated with these topics; and the social policy implications.Prerequisite: PHL1100 is helpful but not required.Meets General Education “Aesthetic and Philosophical Expression” Group A requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).

PHL3600 Analytic Philosophy 4 semester hoursThis course will focus on the schools grounded in the work of Frege and Russell, emphasizing such thinkers as Wittgenstein, Austin, Popper, Searle and Dennett.Prerequisite: Either one prior history-sequence course or PHL2250; PHL3330 or PHL3350 or PHL1200 is strongly recommended.

PHL/PSC4660 Modern Political Philosophy 4 semester hoursThis course examines methodological, conceptual and substantive ideas of major political theorists and movements in the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing primary sources and the contributions of Hegel, Marx, Mill, and contemporary approaches to the study of political theory.Prerequisites: Demonstrated research and writing skills; two prior 3000-level courses in philosophy and/or political science required.

PHL4990 Senior Seminar in Philosophy 4 semester hoursThis course will focus on major theoretical positions in contemporary philosophy. It will also examine the significance of philosophical theory for other disciplines, social and political life, and the arts.Prerequisites: A declared major or minor in philosophy; a minimum of three courses in philosophy, including at least two at the 3000-level; senior standingrecommended.